Ivory Coast: The Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Authority announced the reintegration of over 700 ex-combatants into various socio-economic sectors. (Xinhua)

Libya: Diplomats warned of increasing anti-Western Islamist violence in the country as fighters are expelled from Mali by international forces and move north. (UPI)

Mauritania: The army seized nearly one ton of cocaine and hashish in a counter-trafficking operation near the Algerian border. (Xinhua)

Sudan: A rebel alliance declared the state of North Kordofan a target in its widening anti-government offensive after striking a major town in the region. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Colombia: FARC leaders asked for patience in peace talks with the government after government statements suggested the talks cannot continue indefinitely. (Xinhua)

Mexico: At least seven were killed in clashes between criminals, government security forces, and civilian security groups in the western state of Michoacán. (AFP)

Venezuela: President Maduro and Cuban President Castro signed accords for 51 joint projects worth a total of USD2 billion. (Xinhua)

ASIA

India: Suspected militants shot and killed a village head and attacked the local police force in Kashmir after a campaign to force the resignation of a number of rural leaders. (Xinhua)

Malaysia: With less than a week until the general election, the opposition coalition is banking on a new economic policy, stripping away the established race-based policies to garner votes. (AP)

Myanmar: A special government-appointed commission charged with investigating last year’s sectarian violence issued a report that suggested doubling the regions security forces and introducing family planning programs for Muslims. (AP)

Philippines: The government announced it has given up on pursuing formal peace negotiations with the leftist-NPA and will be bolstering its Internal Peace and Security Plan. (Xinhua)

EUROPE

Czech Republic: An explosion in downtown Prague, believed to be caused by a gas pipe leak, caused widespread damage and injured more than a dozen people. (WSJ)

France: In a move to curb the government deficit, the military announced plans to cut 22,000 military jobs by 2019 in addition to the 55,000 cut in the last defense review. (AP)

Germany: A spokesman for Chancellor Merkel said the criticism of the chancellor’s government by the governing French socialist party would not affect the cooperation between the two countries. (Reuters)

Italy: The country’s stock market outperformed expectations as the new government was sworn in, ending two months of political uncertainty. (AP)

MIDDLE EAST

Iran: Former president Rafsanjani softened his stance towards Israel saying the country is not at war with Israel, coming in stark contrast to statements made by President Ahmadinejad. (AP)

Syria: PM al Halqi survived an assassination attempt in which a large blast targeted his convoy as it passed through the Mazzeh district of Damascus. (AFP)

United Arab Emirates: The government criticized a US report on the country’s human rights situation, saying it ignored recent improvements. (AFP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Intellectual Property: A US court ruling blunted the value of “standard-essential patents,” mandating the price of licensing fees remain “low” as patents have become a battleground for tech corporations. (NYT)

WORLD

Cyclones: Nothing to report

Hurricanes: Nothing to report

Earthquakes: Nothing to report

Volcanoes: Nothing to report

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (30APR)

Europe: Foreign ministers of Poland, Lithuania, Denmark and the Netherlands will come to Ukraine to meet with top officials and discuss European integration policy.